Photos: The Nigerian Black Doll That Now Outselling Barbie Dolls In Nigeria

Taofick Okoya is the Nigerian who was inspired to make black dolls when his niece
wanted a black doll but he was shocked that
he could not find one to buy even

with the high population of black children all over the world. He launched his line of black dolls in 2007.

The dolls’ look is modeled on three of the
country’s biggest tribes and aims to
promote strong feminine ideals, like love,
peace and endurance.

The doll is now so popular that, according
to Reuters, it is selling up to 9,000 units a
month – a staggering 15 per cent of the
country’s toy market.

The dolls sell for between N1,300 to the

special edition N3,500 naira ($22), while

cheaper Naija Princesses sell for N500-

N1,000 apiece.  

Speaking about his dolls out-selling Barbie

in his native Nigeria, Okoya said: ‘My

mission is to make the Queens of Africa a

symbol of hope, trust, and confidence by

promoting African history, culture, and

fashion.’

One person that Okoya really hopes the

dolls will have a positive impact on is his

daughter, who, he explains, once wished she

was white.